Now you can tow a fifth wheel trailer with a short bed pickup WITHOUT a slider hitch. AND it is now possible for pickup trucks with beds shorter than 6 feet (such as Ford Super Crews) to tow a fifth wheel trailer. You can use the clearance formula at the bottom of this page to see if a Sidewinder will work for you.
Note: It is not recommended to use a Sidewinder with a slider hitch.
When towing with a standard king pin, the fifth wheel trailer turns or pivots where the king pin is connected to the hitch. With the sidewinder, the truck and trailer are prevented from pivoting at the hitch. Instead the pivot point is located closer to the tailgate, creating much more space in between the truck cab and trailer on sharp turns. This extra space also becomes available for more cargo such as toolboxes which couldn't fit before. And the new pivot point makes the trailer track better behind the truck for even easier towing.
The Sidewinder is available in the Standard 16K, the heavy duty 19K, and the Fifth Airborne Sidewinder with Air-Ride in 16K. The Fifth Airborne Sidewinder allows you to get the benefits of both the Sidewinder and Fifth Airborne Air-Ride king pin. All move the pivot point 22" rearward.
Use the formula below to ensure there will be enough space between your truck cab and trailer when executing a 90-degree turn.
(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab
B = Length of Sidewinder arm (16K = 22", 19K = 22")
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)
For example: With the 16K arm, if the distance from the center of the hitch to the cab is 36", 36" + 22" = 58". If your fifth wheel trailer is 102" wide, take half (51"), then plug in: 58" - 51" = 7" of clearance.
NOTE: At least 4 inches of clearance is recommended to safely execute a 90 degree turn.
Air compressor (only on Fifth Airborne Sidewinder with Air-Ride) - the air bag in the king pin is adjustable and will need to be filled from time to time
The Fifth Gear Sidewinder and 5th Airborne Sidewinder are custom designed to replace the existing pinbox on your trailer. Use the tables below to help find the correct 5th Gear pinbox coupler for your application.
Note: Pinbox number will typically be located on a sticker or stamping on the OEM pinbox.
| Trailer Pin Box Part Number |
Pin Box Type | 16K Sidewinder 22" Long |
19K Sidewinder 22" Long |
5th Airborne Air-Ride Sidewinder 16K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngs Welding | Standard | ST500-SW16K | ST500-SW19K | N/A |
| Youngs Welding | Extended | ST500-SW16K | ST500-SW19K | N/A |
| Leland 7921 | Extended | ST400-SW16K | ST400-SW19K | ST400-5AS16K |
| Leland 7920 | Extended | ST400-SW16K | ST400-SW19K | ST400-5AS16K |
| Leland 7910 | Standard | ST400-SW16K | ST400-SW19K | ST400-5AS16K |
| Venture CJ13517 | Extended | RP61450 | N/A | RP61452 |
| Venture CJ13515 | Standard | RP61450 | N/A | RP61452 |
| Venture CJ20517 | RP61450 | N/A | RP61452 | |
| M&M 665 | Extended | RP61420 | RP61421 | RP61422 |
| M&M 663 | Standard | RP61420 | RP61421 | RP61422 |
| Lippert 1621HD | Extended | RP61420 | RP61421 | RP61422 |
| Lippert 1621 | Extended | RP61420 | RP61421 | RP61422 |
| Lippert 0719 | Standard | RP61420 | RP61421 | RP61422 |
| Fabex 665 | Extended | RP61420 | RP61421 | RP61422 |
| Fabex 663 | Standard | RP61420 | RP61421 | RP61422 |
| RBW 7028 | Extended | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| RBW 7019 | Standard | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| Lippert 1716 | Extended | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| Lippert 1116 | Standard | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| Lippert 0115 | Standard | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| Fabex 765 | Extended | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| Fabex 560 | Standard | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| Fabex 530 | Standard | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| Fabex 520 | Standard | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| Fabex 503 | Extended | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| Fabex 500 | Extended | RP61410 | RP61411 | RP61412 |
| Youngs Welding Straight 8x8 | Tube | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Youngs Welding | Tube | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| RBW 7027 | Tube | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| RBW 7016-2P | Tube | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lippert 0516 | Tube | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fabex 316 | Tube | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fabex 314 | Tube | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fabex 300 | Tube | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Atwood AB-72 | Tube | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Atwood AB-34 | Tube | N/A | N/A | N/A |
I’ve got a 05 f250 short bed. About to start pulling a 40 ft 5th wheel. Can you tell me my best options as far as clearance from the cab? Weather that be a sliding hitch or a sidewinder?
Since your F-250 has a 6-3/4' bed you might be able to get away with using a standard 5th wheel hitch if your 5th wheel trailer has the newer tapered nose design. If it doesn't then I personally think Sidewinder is the best way to go (even though you technically don't need that much clearance for your application) because it means you get to use a lighter 5th wheel hitch. To go this route though you'll need to let me know what pin box number you have. You should be able to find it on a sticker on the side of the box itself.
Hi I have a 2020 RAM 1500 classic Night Edition with a short bed, the bed is 22” deep. We have an older TravelAire Rustler trailer with a fifth wheel adapter. Could you please advise what we would need to buy? Thanks
If your Ram has the 5-1/2' bed then I would look into getting one of the 5th wheel hitch setups in the attached link. Some of them require you to swap out to a Sidewinder pin box (which is pin box specific) but the Demco Hijacker setup will allow you to use a normal pin box. You will need to lose the adapter.
Helpful Links
@JonG Thank you for your reply. My concern as the bed is 22” deep that the trailer adapter will hit the bed sides when taking a turn. Would be able to confirm that will not happen as well can you please let me know what I as well need to purchase for my Rustler trailer as I have no real clue Stay safe
@Ton Are you talking about your current adapter or one of the kits I linked above not fitting correclty?
@JonG I have an old hitch from my previous truck, I assume I can’t use that anymore. Than I have the Leland 7920 pin box ( but mine is horizontal, not angled at all) that one I think I need to change. Anyway I need a full solution with my current pin box or with a new one and a truck fifth wheel hitch Looking forward to your recommendations. I do have pictures, but have no clue how to share them here on this forum. Thx
@Ton Got it. For a pin box replacement I recommend the Reese 5th Airborne # ST400-5AS16K which uses the Sidewinder turret. For a 5th wheel hitch setup I recommend using the Base Rail Kit # RP50142-58 and the Reese M5 # RP30928 hitch. You also need the Wedge Kit # RP44FR so the Sidewinder fits better with the hitch.
@JonG Hi, Thank you for your suggestions. One thing I don’t understand is the recommended pin box. I don’t see a difference between the Leland 7920 ( complete horizontal) and the recommended one, which arm is also horizontal. I would have guessed to avoid that the pin box arm would hit the bed sides I would need a pin box with an angled arm? What do I miss? PS all very complicated/complex matter tooo many options and considerations
@Ton Sorry I should have explained what the Sidewinder pin box does. So the Sidewinder has a rotating turret which means that your trailer is going to pivot back at the connection to the pin box instead of pivoting at the king pin like a standard pin box does. This gives you 22" of clearance which is perfect for a 5-1/2' bed. I also just got what you meant by the 22" deep (I apologize for not understanding this). The M5 can be set to 18" tall and you should be able to adjust the height of this pin box a little for some extra clearance. The base rails will add like an extra 1" to your M5 height so that will probably be closer to 19" in all reality.
I am waiting delivery of a 2021 F250 with the 6 3/4’ bed. It will be coming with the 5th wheel OEM puck system. I’m also going to be purchasing my first 5th wheel, a 2006 Jayco 264bhs. What would be the best setup for me, a sidewinder and hitch or a sliding hitch, and why? Thanks for your help.
If money isn't really a factor then I would go with the Sidewinder and the B&W Companion # BWRVK3300 along with the Wedge # RP74FR . I like this combo because it attaches directly to your puck system and it gives you a lightweight (or at least lighter than most) 5th wheel hitch that can be easily separated to help even more with the weight.
@JonG That sounds like a nice setup, that is a high quality hitch. If money is a factor do you have an economy suggestion?
@JackK For something more economical I'd go with the Curt A20 # C16541 and Adapter Rails # C88KR . This setup means that you will have to get in and out of your truck to lock and unlock the slider in tight turning situations but it's more cost-effective and doesn't sacrifice ride quality in the process. Something like the Demco Hijacker Autoslide # DM8550024 would be good too.
I have a 2021 EcoDiesel Laramie 1500 Crew cab 5.5 ft bed. What's the recommendation for me. Want a 5th wheel set up. Just starting to investigate my options. Thanks
If you're able to use the Sidewinder pin box then it really makes your setup easier because you don't need the heavier sliding 5th wheel hitches and it means you don't have to worry about making contact with your cab when turning. I really like the Demco Recon # DM8550043 with the base rail kit # DM8552032-71 but you need to check and see if you have the factory air suspension system first because this won't fit if you do. Please note this is if you have the New Body version. If you have the Classic Ram 1500 then you'll want the base rail kit # DM8552030-71 instead. The same rule applies about the factory air suspension.
We have a Fifth Airborne Sidewinder Elite on our current 2017 Crusader Fifth Wheel. We upgraded our truck to a 2019 Ram 2500 short box, without the puck system. We need to install a new Fifth wheel hitch in the truck. We are wondering if the B&W Companion RVK3500, with the B&W GNRK 1320 single ball hitch kit, will work with our current Sidewinder pin box. I see Reese has the Custom Wedge SWW-06 for B&W Hitches, i would have to purchase if they did work together. Or, if you have any other ideas or brand hitches that would work for us. Thank you
While I do like the B&W gooseneck and Companion combination, it won't work with the Sidewinder simply because of there being 1 anchor point for the hitch. For your application I recommend going with the B&W Base Rail Kit # BWRVK2602 and Patriot 5th Wheel Hitch # BWRVK3255 . The head of the Patriot has the same features as the Companion but it attaches using 4 points of contact instead of 1. You would use the wedge # SWW-06 for your Sidewinder pin box.
Sorry, I forgot to mention, we don’t want any kind of system permanently in the bed of the truck. We had a Husky Brand Hitch in our 04 Dodge 2500 short box, with 4 holes in the bed with plugs, when not in use. Was hoping to do the same on the new truck. Thank you
@ScottB Ah, in that case the only option that is currently available is for you to lockout the Sidewinder pin box so you can use the B&W parts # BWRVK3400 and # BWGNRK1320 . This does mean that you'll lose the clearance function of the Sidewinder so you would have to use the manual sliding action of the Companion to ensure that you have complete cab clearance for sharper turns. We have seen instances where people are able to make tighter turns with some of the newer short bed trucks but you would need a 5th wheel that has a tapered front end and you would need to use our clearance formula to see if it would work. (your Sidewinder clearance would be zero since you would need to lock it out). Clearance Formula - (A + B) - C = Clearance A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab B = Length of offset (slider clearance or Sidewinder offset) C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half) You need at least 4" of clearance to be able to make a 90 degree turn
@JonG thanks for the info
@ScottB Anytime!
I have a 2021 Chevrolet trail boss 1500 with a short box. The fifth wheel we recently bought is a 2004 Keystone Cougar. Can anyone recommend the best fifth wheel hitch for this set up.
Short box as in 5-3/4' bed or 6-1/2' bed? For the 5-3/4' bed you'll want to use the Reese 16K # RP30047 , the base rail kit # RP56015-53 , and then the wedge # SWW-03 so that you can use a Sidewinder pin box to give you the proper turning clearance. For a 6-1/2' bed you'll want to use the B&W Companion # BWRVK3400-5W with the Gooseneck Hitch # BWGNRK1019-5W so that you have a completely clean and free bed when not towing.
@JonG Thank you very much! It is the five and three-quarter foot box. I appreciate the information.
I have a 07 Tundra CrewMax with a Pullrite 3100 . I have not bought my camper yet. Will I clear the bed
It looks like the clearance for the PullRite SuperGlide 3100 is 22-3/4" which would be enough to clear the 5-1/2" bed on your '07 Tundra.
You really need a truck diesel truck. Would not pull a fifth wheel with out one.
Good morning,2006 Dodge Mega cab with a reese elite 25 puck system,outback by keystone 28 ft what would be best set up since i have puck system already installed
@JonG Thank you,But I specifically need to know how to use the puck system already installed ie,rails that lock-in to pucks, etc
@PatrickP The 5th wheel hitches I mentioned above fit directly to the puck system that you already have installed. If you mean that you already have a different 5th wheel hitch and you need it to fit with the Reese Elite puck system then you need the adapter part # RP30156 which gives you industry standard mounting points.
I have a Ram 1500 4x4 with short bed and ram boxes. Manufacturers specs say max towing capacity is 11,340. Will a fifth wheel hitch like this allow for a greater capacity, as it seems to spread the load distribution out more?
Sometimes trucks will have a higher weight rating for gooseneck/5th wheel trailers over a conventional bumper pull setup, and that typically has to do with the gooseneck/5th wheel hitch being connected directly to the frame over the rear axle as opposed to being attached to the frame behind the axle like what you see with a standard hitch receiver. If the max specs you are seeing are for the gooseneck/5th wheel towing then that's what your max rating is.
I'm looking to buy a 1987 19ft. voyager 5th. wheel trailer but can't find any tag or no's on the pin box. Tow veh. will be a 2020 ford ranger, supercab with 6ft. box. I'll need sidewinder and hitch. Is there any way you can tell me the part no's for what I need
Possibly. Since you can't find any tags you will need to take some measurements of the pin box. I'm attaching a helpful article that you can check out to help you determine what pin box number that you have. Once you know your pin box measurements you can either use the article to help you filter through our pin box options or you can let me know what you found and I can see if we have anything that is compatible.
Helpful Links
What set up is needed for a 2021 Toyota Tundra Crew MAX with 5.5 ft bed. Hitch, mounting brackets , rails etc...
You can either use the Demco Hijacker Hitch # DM8550040 with the Bed Rails # DM8552020-71 , or you can use a stationary set, parts # RP30928 and # RP50084-58 , and swap out your pin box to a Sidewinder for that clearance. I personally like the Sidewinder option better but that's because it means you get to use a hitch that doesn't weigh as much or take up as much space in your truck bed. If you want to go this route we will need to find out what pin box you currently have on your 5th wheel trailer.
I got a 16 ram 1500 with a 5ft 8 inch box what do I need to do to pull a 5th wheel camper that I just bought? They told me a super glide 3100 that would cost me 3 grand to get installed is that right?
You will need to either go with a 5th wheel hitch that has an extra sliding position, like with the Demco Hijacker # DM8550040 and Base Rail Kit # DM8552030-71 , or you will need to go with a stationary 5th wheel hitch and a Sidewinder pin box. The Hijacker would be more cost-effective but it will be quite a bit heavier. According to my research you get more features out of the Hijacker than you do with the SuperGlide so I'd go with the Hijacker if you only want to mess with the sliding 5th wheel hitch.
I just purchased a Grand Design Reflection 29RS. I want to use a 5th Airborne Side Winder and unable to find the "Pin Box" Part Number or should I say the part number (722703) LCI put on the sticker does not match anything in the compatibility.
I reached out to my contact at Lippert who said that you have a 1621 pin box. This means that the 5th Airborne Sidewinder you're looking for is the 16K part # RP61422 .
I own a RAM 1500 crew cab 4x4 with 6'4" box. This truck has the RAM BOX. with curt gooseneck hitch. Is there a way to pull a fifth wheel? I know curt makes an adapter, but the RAM box is sure a struggle.. I've tried the Anderson adapter and that didn't work.. I sold that camper but looking for another. Just looking or options, goosenecks pull so nice compared to bumper trailers.
@KevinB I definitely hear what you're saying. Towing with a regular gooseneck coupler shouldn't be an issue like what you said, however when it comes to towing a 5th wheel trailer with a gooseneck hitch the options tend to still involve a pin box. Since the pin box is more bulky than a gooseneck coupler that's when you see those clearance problems. As far as gooseneck vs 5th wheel for towing it really boils down to personal preference. I've heard people say that gooseneck towing is too sloppy but then there are people like yourself that feel the gooseneck setup is much more comfortable than a 5th wheel.
So I can have both the gooseneck and fifth wheel hitch. What will clear the box sides?
Will a Reece Sidewinder help with the Ram Box clearance issue?
@KevinB The only thing that we know of to clear the RamBox is the Sidewinder. This means that you need to use a 5th wheel hitch with 4 points of contact with your truck bed though so you will have to swap out your gooseneck setup for a standard base rail system like the kit # DM8552030-71 . This then means you can use a hitch like # DM6076P-21K with the wedge kit # SWW-05 .
@JonG 2018. Just looking for options. Can clearance isn’t an issue with 6’ box. Won’t be scrapping the gooseneck. When will ever mfg’s start addressing the issue? I’ll never own a regular box again!
The only option for towing a 5th wheel trailer with a Ram pickup that has the RamBox kit is to use a 5th wheel hitch that has multiple anchor points and then to swap out the pin box on your trailer for a Sidewinder pin box. This means that your trailer will pivot further back so you have cab clearance, plus it will rotate above the RamBox which is huge because any other pin box will make contact with your RamBox. Since you have a Curt gooseneck hitch you're going to need to get rid of it and use a different mounting system. If you can let me know the year of your Ram 1500 I can make some recommendations for you.
We just purchased a new 1/2 ton compatible 5th wheel trailer. (2020 PRIME TIME CRUSADER LITE 25RD - 10370 lbs) Our tow vehicle is a '10 F150 Crew Cab 4x4. I am trying to track down the proper hitch/kingpin/sidwinder combo for us. The dealer is providing a free hitch and I need some help picking out a sidewinder and/or putting the proper combination for our set up. Any help is appreciated.
What pin box number does your 5th wheel trailer have, and what 5th wheel hitch is your dealer providing you with?
@JonG The hitch will be a PullRight Super Glide (but it sounds like I can change that) The pin box # on the 5th wheel is LIPP1621
@JonG Pinbox #LIPP1621 which looks like the RP61420 would be the correct sidewinder for the pinbox. The tech said they would probably install a Pullright 16K SuperGlide which would negate the sidewinder but I am wondering if the best set up may be using the Anderson 5th wheel hitch set up #AM3200 with the sidewinder to save some weight in the bed on the hitch.
@CarlC Thank you for the pin box number! In that case the correct Sidewinder would be part RP61420 but it was recently discontinued because Reese is rolling out a new generation of Sidewinders in the near future. For your application you'll need to use part # RP61422 which is the same thing, just with an air bag and shock to help improve ride quality. Since you're planning on using a Sidewinder there is absolutely no reason to go with the SuperGlide. I recommend either using the Recon # DM8550043 with the rails # DM8552004-71 and wedge # SWW-05 OR the Reese Elite # RP30142 with the rails # RP30064 and the wedge # SWW-01 .
Can a Sidewinder be used on a Grand Design Momentum 351M, weighs about 13000 empty to 16000 loaded? I have a RAM 3500 diesel, crew cab, short box.
What pin box number do you have?
I purchased a new camper 1 1/2 years ago. It has a Reese sidewinder. Was wondering about maintenance. When I’m in parks pulling around slowly I feel it binding a bit. Also hear it making noise. I installed your hitch in my truck.The dealer installed Sidewinder on the trailer. What about friction plates ?
I linked a good answer page below that explains proper maintenance of the Sidewinder pin boxes.
Helpful Links
I have an 07 cougar 1/2 ton series fifth wheel camper with pin box model # Lipp1621 looking to see if a Reese sidewinder hitch will hook up to it. I have a 2010 f150 super crew cab with 5 1/2ft bed and have been told I couldn’t haul a fifth wheel with it. Really hoping to figure it out.
Yep! The Reese 5th Airborne Sidewinder # RP61422 will work perfectly to replace your existing Lippert 1621 model pin box.
@ChrisR Is that the only compatible one or can I get one without the air ride?
@Aaron The Reese 20K Sidewinder # RP34FR will work as well!
I had a Sidewinder that came on a 2008 Keystone 29RKS and I could push it around out of the way after uncoupling. I now have another Keystone 29RKS WITH A Sidewinder, but it’s impossible to push it around out of the way. Even when I make a turn, it’s not that smooth, kind of jerky like it’s really torqued to tight. It is Reese model SW16K. Does anyone have a suggestion as to why it’s so hard to rotate compared to the first one.
The Sidewinder turret should honestly be pretty difficult to turn by hand. It kind of sounds like your older pin box was abnormally loose and the new unit is correct.
Can I lnstall a adapter on my Keystone Cougar 5th wheel so I don’t blow out my rear window on my GMC 2500 Short bed pickup when making a 90 degree turn ?
You should definitely be able to replace the pin box on your Keystone Cougar with a pivoting unit like the Sidewinder for cab clearance during sharp turns. It will depend on what model pin box you currently have as to the correct replacement. There should hopefully be a model number located right on the pin box itself. If you can let us know the model we will be happy to help further! In the meantime I have linked our complete selection of Sidewinder models for you to look through.
Helpful Links
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